SACRAMENTO — Today Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 484, authored by Senator John Laird (D-Santa Cruz) into law, advancing affordable, infill housing development in California’s coastal cities while preserving the state’s environmental protections. The bill represents a major legislative victory for environmental and housing advocates who came together to collaborate on responsible solutions to California’s housing affordability crisis.

“California does not have to choose between affordable housing and protecting our coastal resources. We can and must do both,” said Senator John Laird. “Senate Bill 484 balances both critical priorities so the state can better address our housing crisis without weakening the Coastal Act, and proves that progress can go hand in hand with conservation and public access. I’m grateful to the Governor Newsom for signing SB 484 into law.”

California’s severe lack of affordable housing is both a social and an environmental crisis. According to the Legislative Analyst’s Office, California has among the most expensive housing in the country, and housing cost increases are dramatically outpacing wage growth, severely burdening the state’s working families. Meanwhile, inadequate housing in transit-rich areas worsens suburban sprawl, increases development in wildfire-prone areas, and lengthens the commutes that degrade air quality and make California’s transportation sector the number one source of greenhouse gas emissions.

SB 484 sidesteps a false narrative that environmental protection and additional housing are mutually exclusive by creating a new, ten-year pilot program to streamline the coastal development permitting process for 100% affordable, infill housing developments in coastal cities. While in the Legislature, the bill attracted formal support from a wide range of housing advocates, business interests, environmental organizations, and the Coastal Commission itself.

“While California's environmental laws help preserve the coast for the public to access and enjoy, low-income residents of our coastal cities are experiencing severe challenges with housing affordability,” said Matt Schwartz, President & CEO of the California Housing Partnership. “Governor Newsom's approval of Senator Laird’s SB 484 helps to address this problem by streamlining permitting and increasing certainty for providers of affordable housing in urbanized areas of the coast, creating more homes where they are most needed. The California Housing Partnership sees this as a win-win-win for the state's environment, economy, and working families.”

“As we enter the 50th Anniversary Year of the landmark California Coastal Act, we are thrilled to be able to work together with our partners in affordable housing, environmental justice and coastal resource protection to advance SB 484,” said Susan Jordan, Founder and Executive Director of the California Coastal Protection Network. “Senator Laird deserves tremendous credit for recognizing the severe lack of affordable housing in the Coastal Zone that has followed since the Legislature removed the Coastal Commission’s authority to require it in 1981. SB 484’s passage shows that responsible housing reform that attracts widespread support is possible.”

“California's coastal communities generate around 80 percent of the state's economic output and wages, yet housing costs in coastal cities are often a prohibitive barrier to low-income renters and people of color,” said Chione Lucina Muñoz Flegal, Executive Director of Housing California. “Housing California is proud to have joined a diverse coalition including fellow housing advocates, conservation organizations, and the Coastal Commission itself in support of SB 484, which takes an important step to responsibly streamline infill affordable housing in the Coastal Zone. We commend Senator Laird and Governor Newsom for this thoughtful approach to advancing equitable access to housing and jobs along California's coast.”

“As a local organization that works statewide, we’re acutely aware of the critical housing needs in California and especially Marin County. SB 484 achieves housing and environmental goals simultaneously, piloting new solutions responsibly and sustainably,” said Ashley Eagle-Gibbs, Executive Director of the Environmental Action Committee of West Marin. “The legislation is a result of the leadership of Senator Laird, and groundbreaking collaboration between housing, environmental justice, and coastal protection advocates. We look forward to continued work together, building on this success to generate additional affordable housing solutions while protecting the California coast for the benefit of all.”

With SB 484 now law, advocates say they are committed to expanding their shared agenda in the years ahead — developing and implementing additional responsible reforms to ensure that California meets its housing needs while protecting its climate, environment, and treasured outdoor access for all. Senate Bill 484 will go into effect January 1, 2026.

###

Senator John Laird represents the 17th Senate District, which includes all of Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey counties, and a majority of San Luis Obispo County. More information on Senator Laird can be found here.